More salary cap dumping as Robinson dealt to Portland

With the Rockets just hours away from the meeting they hoped would entice Dwight Howard to take a max contract to join them, they opened the last bit of salary cap room needed to offer it.

The Rockets dealt Thomas Robinson, the fifth pick of the 2012 NBA draft, to the Portland Trail Blazers for two players taken in the second round and two future second-round picks. The players acquired, Kostas Papanikolau and Marko Todorovic, would not count against the Rockets’ salary cap this season, allowing the Rockets to open the cap room necessary to sign Howard to a max contract.

The trade cannot be official until July 10 when players also may begin signing free agent contracts.

Todorovic, 21, is a 6-11 center who played in Barcelona last season. He was the 45th player taken in the NBA draft last week. Papanikolau, 22, is a 6-9 small forward. He was the 48th pick in the 2012 draft by the Knicks and went to Portland in the sign-and-trade deal that sent Raymond Felton to New York. He was considered a likely candidate to join the Blazers this season after playing for Olympiacos, one of the top Euroleague teams, last season.

With cap room in mind, the Rockets also waived Aaron Brooks and Carlos Delfino on Sunday. The agents for both had been told last month that the Rockets did not intend to pick up their options on a second season of their contracts. The contracts were both structured to provide the flexibility needed to open cap room for this summer. The Rockets also did not pick up their option on the final season of Francisco Garcia’s contract.

Robinson is the eighth player taken in the top five to play for two teams in his rookie season since 1966 (when the NBA ended territorial draft rights). Only one other rookie, Chauncey Billups, was also traded before his second season.

Zaid Abdul-Aziz (1968) played for the Royals and Bucks; Rick Robey (1978) played for the Pacers and Celtics; Al Wood (1981) played for the Hawks and Clippers; Donyell Marshall (1994) played for the Timberwolves and Warrriors; Billus (1997) played for the Celtics and Raptors; Drew Gooden (2002) played for the Grizzlies and Magic; and Derrick Favors (2010) played for the Nets and Jazz.

Robinson averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, making 43 percent of his shots and 52.3 percent of their free throws, for the Kings and Rockets last season. Though initially in the Rockets’ rotation after the trade, he played in just four games in April, all to finish routs.